Did Week 14 seem to overpromise some great weather games and then underdeliver? Like “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” And the only weather game we got was a blowout. But it was the start of the fantasy playoffs for most of you, so let’s search through the wreckage.

Fantasy player of the week
Patriots QB Tom Brady again? Absolutely. The Patriots could certainly have been in store for a letdown coming off a huge win over the rival Jets, and traveling to play the — what we thought were — tough Bears. Battling through the snow was not a surprise; Brady has done it before. But Brady made one of the best teams in the NFC look ridiculous at home in the process. Again, to reiterate, Brady is a must-start fantasy quarterback and the only QB I would start over Brady is Eagles QB Michael Vick.

By the numbers
Seventy-two. That was the point total of my running backs, Michael Turner and Darren McFadden, for my team, the Benson Burner. The only problem — my squad was on a bye week. Not that it was really a problem. Some of you likely had huge performances from your guys on a bye for the playoffs, but one of our video producers/editors put it best: just pretend you were playing this week and that you won. That will not make it any easier if they struggle next week, but it helps right now.

Not to brag, but Andre Johnson also had a huge week for me on the bye. Can I just carry that over? This team is looking at a 50-point performance next week, right?

Thank you for stopping by
Broncos QB Kyle Orton, hate to tell you this, but Cardinals kicker Jay Feely had more touchdowns than you. That late-season swoon for Orton is happening, and not even a great matchup against the Cardinals can stop it. Orton might have got you to the playoffs, but if you played him this week, you are likely out.

Rule changes that need to happen
Should kickers be banned in fantasy football? I have long advocated banishing kickers, because you just cannot predict what they are going to do. But watching Feely score that fluke touchdown to give those gift points has me changing my mind. We might need to review this over the offseason.

Best player nobody was playing
San Francisco QB Alex Smith led all fantasy football signal callers in points on Sunday. Maybe that will be enough for the 49ers to hold on to him next season. And really, do we have to credit the genius of coach Mike Singletary for making the move at quarterback? He was the only one with the stones to start Smith.

You just made the list, buddy
Cardinals RB Beanie Wells has surprisingly never made the list. But it has become clear that he is not going to make a fantasy impact this season. And to be honest, there is a chance he might not ever be able to make one.

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